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Let’s assume the NHL has a moment of sanity and strikes a deal for its players to return to the ice sometime in the next two years — the Ottawa sports landscape will take another big leap forward in 2014.

With the Senators as the flagship, we will also have pro sports teams in football, soccer and basketball. Add that to a mix which includes the top college basketball team in the country (Carleton), a top-notch junior hockey club (the 67’s) and two CIS football teams (Carleton and Ottawa) and you’ve got a vibrant sports scene.

On top of that, there is still hope that we will have the return of professional baseball. Negotiations are ongoing to bring a Double-A franchise to Ottawa for 2014, but any decision on that may not happen until early next year.

Even without baseball, here’s how it stacks up:

NASL

Owner: Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group

League founded: 2011

Joining league: 2014

Home base: Lansdowne Park

Defending champion: Tampa Bay Rowdies

Closest geographic rival: New York Cosmos

Top players in league: Pablo Campos, Walter Restrepo, Nick Zimmerman

Number of other teams: 10 (more expansion teams could be announced)

Recent news: Bill Peterson was named the new league commissioner ... The New York Cosmos will return next season and future expansion teams have been announced for Virginia and Ottawa.

Ottawa history: The National Capital Pioneers (later the Ottawa Intrepid) played in the Canadian Soccer League from 1987-89 ... It was announced on June 20, 2011 that Ottawa would join the NASL for the 2014 season, playing out of the refurbished Lansdowne Park. Ottawa Fury owner John Pugh is the team’s president.

Big Ottawa question: Interest in soccer is big in Ottawa, but can the new pro franchise draw enough fans to make it viable?

Recent news: Hamilton will play home games in Guelph in 2013 while waiting for its new stadium to be completed ... Ottawa will be the fourth new/renovated stadium in the next five years, joining Hamilton, Regina and Winnipeg.

Ottawa history: The Rough Riders had a tremendous history from their inception in 1876 until they knuckled under in 1996, winning nine Grey Cups. Names such as Russ Jackson, Tony Gabriel and Ron Stewart wore Rider colours. The CFL returned to Ottawa in 2002. Unable to secure the Rough Riders name, the team was called the Renegades. Ottawa was once again left without a CFL franchise when the Renegades were suspended by the league before the 2006 season.

Big Ottawa questions: Who will be the first GM? What will the franchise be called? Will the team establish itself in Gatineau and the Ottawa Valley? Can the team become competitive quickly?

NBL

Owner: Bytown Sports and Entertainment Inc.

League founded: 2011

Joining league: 2013

Home base: Scotiabank Place (for first season)

Defending champion: London Lightning

Closest geographic rival: Montreal Jazz

Top players in league: Anthony Anderson, Devin Sweetney

Number of other teams: 8 (possibly more in near future)

Recent news: Suggestions for a team name are being taken at basketballottawa.com ... Ticket prices are expected to range from $10-$12 for upper bowl, $20-$25 for lower bowl and $75-$95 for courtside seats.

Ottawa history: Strong tradition established by Carleton Ravens men’s team, which has won eight national championships in the past 10 years. The team would be wise to get the likes of Tony House and Leo Rautins involved somehow.

Big Ottawa questions: Do we care enough about basketball? ... Will the team be overshadowed by the Ravens?

Recent news: The league has been inactive since Sept. 15 when the owners locked out the players, seeking a long-term agreement with the NHLPA. There has been plenty of brow-furrowing and head-scratching since ... but no deal. The NHL and NHLPA agreed to meet with mediators this past week.

Ottawa history: The team has averaged more than 18,000 fans since 2005-06 ... Thirteen playoff appearances in the last 15 years, including an appearance in the 2006-07 Stanley Cup final vs. Anaheim, losing in five games.

Big Ottawa questions: The rebuilding Senators were surprisingly good last season before being bounced from the playoffs by the New York Rangers. Can they take it up a notch? ... If the NHL season is lost, will captain Daniel Alfredsson play another game in a Senators uniform? ... Can Erik Karlsson get even better?

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Ottawa sporting landscape about to change

Let’s assume the NHL has a moment of sanity and strikes a deal for its players to return to the ice sometime in the next two years — the Ottawa sports landscape will take another big leap forward in 2014.

With the Senators as the flagship, we will also have pro sports teams in football, soccer and basketball. Add that to a mix which includes the top college basketball team in the country (Carleton), a top-notch junior hockey club (the 67’s) and two CIS football teams (Carleton and Ottawa) and you’ve got a vibrant sports scene.

On top of that, there is still hope that we will have the return of professional baseball. Negotiations are ongoing to bring a Double-A franchise to Ottawa for 2014, but any decision on that may not happen until early next year.